Ask HN: turned 40, too late to get into security?
3 comments
No, not too late.
I actually started in security quite a bit older than 40.
It might take a bit of reading; http://amzn.to/cthr46 is a good start.
Ability to program is a huge plus. I would avoid the certificate route.
To get a feel of one aspect of security, take the Matasano Crypto challenge: http://www.matasano.com/articles/crypto-challenges/ It is a lot of fun, and, particularly if you are interested in cryptography, will show you how to break stuff.
I actually started in security quite a bit older than 40.
It might take a bit of reading; http://amzn.to/cthr46 is a good start.
Ability to program is a huge plus. I would avoid the certificate route.
To get a feel of one aspect of security, take the Matasano Crypto challenge: http://www.matasano.com/articles/crypto-challenges/ It is a lot of fun, and, particularly if you are interested in cryptography, will show you how to break stuff.
Its never too late. Throw your self into learning everything you can about security and do a computer security certificate program (1 year). You could totally reinvent your self in just a few short years. Good luck hacking!
You're considering a field that favors a mature, experienced individual, and especially favors someone with a software background. So your plan seem perfectly sound, both for your age and for this time in history.
What I'd like to do is specialize and consult. In recent years I got interested in cryptography and security in general. However I don't really have anything to show for it. I also don't know if I "have what it takes" to be working as a security consultant. Taking into account my age, what do you think, is it realistic for me to consider changing careers into security? Anyone did this? Or should I search for something else (I also like machine learning and other AI fields).